Bottle and cup holding bib buddy

ABSTRACT

The present invention discloses a combination bib and bottle holder, using a unique adjustable three strap support system for holding a bottle, cup, Sippy cup, or snack cup near to a child or adult to allow them to drink or eat at leisure without dropping the container. The primary feature of this invention is to allow toddlers six months to 3 years to feed themselves. The support straps fastened onto the front of the bib securely hold bottles or cups of varying shapes and sizes. The bib is fastened around the neck. The wearer is free to move around and to manipulate and drink or eat from the container in the bib holder. The bib design includes form fitting curved sides which allows the user to freely manipulate the bib and feeding container to drink or eat from it. Embodiments permit the bib to be used by persons who cannot hold a container because of a physical or mental impairment that limits their ability to feed themselves. The unique feature of this device is that it prevents the user from dropping the container thus keeping it more sanitary.

References Cited 5,184,796 February 1993 Maher 5,820,084 October 1998 Trumbauer et al. 5,765,225 June 1998 Goeckeritz et al. 5,898,940 May 1999 Cameron 6,055,667 May 2000 Jimenez RE38,393 January 2004 Bronson 7,513,465B2 April 2009 Prado

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When a child reaches the age when he can grasp an object, he is encouraged to hold his own cup or bottle when he is feeding in his high chair, stroller or car seat. During the learning period, the child often drops the container, such as a baby bottle or Sippy Cup™, and the caregiver must then retrieve it from the floor and clean it before returning it to the child. It would be helpful if a device could be provided to prevent the container from being dropped by the child so that it would not have to be retrieved continuously, cleaned and returned, thus relieving frustration of both parent and child.

Many efforts have been made in the past to devise bottle holders. Bronson, U.S. Pat. RE38,393, discloses a harness/combination vest which makes the bottle available for the child when he/she is hungry. However, this vest does not permit the infant to move about freely while wearing the harness.

Cameron, U.S. Pat. No. 5,898,940, teaches a combined bib and bottle holder having a front and rear panel sewn together and enclosing soft material. However, this bib does not permit the infant to manipulate the bottle.

Trumbauer, U.S. Pat. No. 5,820,084, discloses a bib constructed of a washable cloth bib having mounted to its face a covered foam member with a groove for holding the baby bottle. However, this bib does not permit the infant to manipulate the beverage container.

Jimenez, U.S. Pat. No. 6,055,667, discloses a bib having a strap for being worn around the neck of an infant. The bib has compartment housing an irregular shaped wedge made of foam material which rests on the infant's chest. Releasable straps connected to the bib hold the bottle in a stationary position so as to align the bottle with the infant's mouth. The infant cannot move freely or manipulate the bottle.

Maher, U.S. Pat. No. 5,184,796, lists numerous examples of bottle holding devices, and teaches a similar concept to that of Jimenez. The feeding apparatus is a triangular inflatable support system comprising of two straps which encircle the chest under the arms of the baby for securing the apparatus to the infant. The bottle is secured by a strap on top of the apparatus and the height is adjusted to control the flow of the liquid into the infant's mouth by inflating or deflating the hollow chamber. The infant cannot move freely or manipulate the bottle.

Prado, U.S. Pat. No. 7,513,465 B2 discloses a harness which attaches to a person and holds a bottle or Sippy cup securely, while allowing the wearer to manipulate the container and drink from it. The harness is a complex assembly of two nylon belts attached to a cloth covered sponge backing using adjustable buckles. The bottom belt serves as a harness that surrounds the infant. The top belt is equipped with a sliding holder loop connected to the top belt to hold the bottle and position it in front of the infant. This invention suffers from the complexity of having to adjust the harness for each individual wearer, limited in mobility and offers no protection against spills onto the infants clothing and skin.

The present invention simplifies all the other designs into a single conventional modified bib design. It uses a novel three strap system, preferably adjustable straps, to create a bottle or cup holder which is an integral part of the front of the bib which is attached on the child. As such, said bib permits the wearer to move around freely (stand, sit, lie down), and to manipulate and drink or eat from the container while it is still in the bib holder.

In the prior art, the bib and bottle holder combinations were designed for infants, for example, less than six months old who need assistance with feeding. The primary feature of this invention, which differs from other inventions, is to allow toddlers six months to 3 years to feed themselves. Embodiments permit the bib to be used by an adult or persons unable to hold a container due to a physical or mental impairment. Embodiments of the novel three strap system also permit it to be used on other items, such as, shirts, diaper bags, backpacks, etc.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a bottle and cup holding child or adult bib according to the invention. The bib attaches to a person, preferably around the neck, and holds a container such as a bottle, cup, Sippy cup or snack cup securely with a unique three strap system, using elastic supports or other retaining means such as Velcro™. Another unique feature of the bib is the curved sides which allow the child to pick up the bottle and bib without interference from the bib itself. The bib design of this invention allows the wearer freedom to move about and to easily drink or eat from the container without it falling from their hands.

FIG. 2 is an alternative embodiment of the said bib which discloses a fabric sewn onto the inside of an enclosed bib collar or neck strap allowing the bib to be conveniently slipped on and off the child or adult's neck like a tee shirt. This prevents the person from easily removing the bib while allowing sufficient room for the head to slip through in the event of an accident.

FIG. 3 illustrates the claimed invention of a bottle and cup holding bib with a baby bottle 80 being retained therein.

FIG. 4 illustrates the claimed invention of a bottle and cup holding bib with a Sippy cup 90 being retained therein.

FIG. 5 illustrates the claimed invention of a bottle and cup holding bib with a snack cup 100 being retained therein.

FIG. 6 illustrates the claimed invention of a bottle and cup holding bib with a child 110 using the said invention to feed themselves holding a baby bottle therein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The key difference between the bib design in this invention and bibs of the prior art is the fact it allows a child who can already feed themselves a way of easily holding a bottle, cup, Sippy cup or snack cup. Prior art teaches that other bibs are feeding devices designed to allow infants younger than 6 months to be fed, mostly in a stationary position, as opposed to feeding themselves.

The present invention is a combination bib and bottle holder design, using a unique three strap system, that holds a bottle, Sippy cup, cup, or feeding cup near to the child or adult to allow them to drink or eat at leisure. The bib is designed primarily for a child 6 months to 3 years of age, as they have the capability to pick up both bottle and bib to drink. While the primary objective of the disclosed invention is to allow a child or toddler to feed themselves, embodiments permit the bib to be designed and used by persons who cannot hold a container because of a physical or mental impairment that would limit one's ability to feed themselves. The versatility of this design enables the invention to accommodate children and adults, as well as all sizes of bottles and cups currently on the market. The three strap system design allows the containers to be centered in front of the child or adult regardless of their size.

The bib is a drastic improvement from other baby bottle holders. The bib is designed to curve in at the sides to allow for the child to grab the bottle more easily. This unique feature allows the bib of this invention to be tailored as a baby bottle holding device that doubles as a bib.

According to the invention, there is provided a bib that is adapted to hold various containers, such as a bottle or Sippy cup, firmly so that a child (or adult) can access it at all times and grasp it more easily. The said bib prevents the container from falling out of the persons reach, avoiding contact with the ground and possible contamination, while offering protection against spills onto the clothing or skin.

A diagram of the bib 10 is shown in FIG. 1. The bib is adapted and designed to be a bottle or cup holding device as well as a bib. The bottle and cup fastening feature is a unique three strap design. The three strap system is attached to the front and center of the bib, preferably at chest level. Adjustable elastic straps, covered with fabric, are sewn onto the bib in three different locations vertically. Two identical elastic straps, 20 a and 20 b, are sewn onto the top of the bib. These straps are of variable width, preferably about 1 inch wide, and have a space between them that varies from one-half inch to 3 inches in width, preferably, one-half inch. Another elastic strap 30 is placed lower on the bib, preferably, one-half to three inches below elastic strap 20 b. Other means for securing the containers are disclosed such as fabric straps using buttons, snaps or hooks and Velcro™. The elastic straps 20 a, 20 b and 30 are preferred, because they permit more convenient use of bottles and cups of various sizes and shapes.

The three bands system will hold many different types and sizes of containers. The upper two straps 20 a and 20 b in conjunction with the lower strap 30 can accommodate bottles, baby bottles, cups or a Sippy cup. For example, a longer bottle would utilize all three straps, the lower bottom band 30 supporting the base of the bottle 80 as shown in FIG. 3. The bottle 80 is inserted under the straps. The double straps 20 a and 20 b serve the function of securely aligning the bottle or cup vertically. This feature makes it easier for the child to grasp and hold the container. A Sippy cup or a short snack cup may use only one or both of the top straps as shown in FIG. 4 and in FIG. 5.

Another embodiment of the bib 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 is the “curved” design on both sides 40 which permits free motion of the child's arms to grasp and manipulate the bottle or cup. It allows the child or toddler to more easily lift the combination bottle and bib with little resistance as shown in FIG. 6.

The bib 10 has an opening 50 at the back of the collar 60 which is used to place the bib around the child's neck. Means for connecting the ends of the collar 70 are disclosed, including buttons, snaps, hooks and Velcro™. The opening 50 is closed preferably by Velcro™ 70. The Velcro™ 70 is installed into the top part of the neck portion of the bid collar. Once the Velcro™ 70 ends of the collar come together the bib will be secure around the child's neck. The purpose of using a Velcro closing, as distinguished from other common fasteners, is to provide strength to the bib to support the weight of the liquid-filled bottle or cup, while ensuring a safe release of the collar to avoid potential injury to the child.

FIG. 2 is an alternative embodiment of the said bib which discloses a fabric 60 a sewn onto the inside of the bib collar 60 or neck strap which is a permanently closed loop allowing the bib to be conveniently slipped on and off the child or adult's neck. This prevents the child from easily removing the bib, while allowing sufficient room for the head to slip through the collar in an event of an accident, avoiding potential injury.

Another embodiment of the invention is its use in conjunction with a baby bottle placed inside a separate insulated bottle cover. Once the bottle is in the cover the bottle and insulated cover will slide into the elastic straps that are sewn into the bib. A bottle with an insulated cover can be inserted into the straps 20 a, 20 b and 30, if desired.

The bib can be made of any appropriate material, color and fabric design, such as, cloth, vinyl, plastic or a combination of thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the front of the bib 10 is made of 95 to 100% cotton. The underside of the bib 10 is a moisture-resistant membrane. The bib design is cut and sewn together from these fabrics. Once this is done the elastic bands, covered with fabric, are sewn onto the bib. The entire bib is washable. 

1. A combination bib and bottle holder, using a unique adjustable three strap support system, holding a bottle, cup, Sippy cup, or snack cup near to a toddler, child or adult to allow them to drink or eat at leisure without dropping the container, comprising: a bib having a front and back surface and placed on the chest of the child or adult; a means of attaching said bib around the persons neck comprising neck straps or a collar extending from opposite sides of the bib; a means for securing the neck straps around the person; two adjustable support straps sewn into the bib separated by at least one inch and positioned in the center of the bib between the top and bottom surfaces; a third adjustable support strap sewn into the bottom of the bib at least one inch below the two top elastic support straps; a novel “curved” bib design allowing the bib of this invention to be effectively used as a bottle holding device that doubles as a bib;
 2. The bib of claim 1, wherein the construction material is fabric, moisture resistance membrane or a combination of both.
 3. The bib of claim 2 wherein, the material of construction is any available pattern or design of choice.
 4. The bib of claim 1, wherein said bib further comprises a baby bottle.
 5. The bib of claim 1, wherein said bib further comprises a drinking cup or Sippy cup.
 6. The bib of claim 1, wherein said bib further comprises a cup for eating solid food.
 7. The bib of claim 1, wherein said bib offers protection against spills onto the clothing or skin.
 8. The bib of claim 1, wherein the three support strap system is strong enough to secure a liquid filled bottle or solid filled feeding cup.
 9. The support straps of claim 8, wherein they prevent dropping the container onto the floor avoiding contamination.
 10. The bib of claim 1, wherein the bib having “curved” sides is an improvement over the standard bib.
 11. The bib of claim 10, wherein said bib allows the child or adult to lift the bib with the container, hold and drink from it without interference or resistance from the bib.
 12. The method of design of the bib of this invention allows for a variety of different applications and uses, comprising: embodiments that permit a bib design to be used by persons who cannot hold a container because of a physical or mental impairment that would limit one's ability to feed themselves; an adjustable three strap support design that allows the use of different bottle sizes and shapes; an adjustable three strap support design that allows a bottle to be placed in a separate insulated cover, and both the bottle and cover slide into the straps sewn into the bib; an alternative embodiment of the said bib which discloses a fabric sewn onto the inside opening of an enclosed bib collar or neck strap requiring the bib to be slipped conveniently on and off the child or adult's neck. 